SAN JOSE -– Nothing reflects the Sharks’ severe drop off between games five and six of their second round series with Nashville more than the performance of their top end players.
They carried the torch in the dominant 5-1 win on Saturday in Game 5, but struggled with everyone else in Game 6, when Nashville played its best game of the series in forcing a decisive Game 7 on Thursday.
It starts with the top line of Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Tomas Hertl, which combined for just three shots on goal in Game 6, none of which came from within 30 feet of the net.